Chew Town Cheers – Dark and Stormy Cocktail

So, it appears that Scotty has found a new love… and it is a cocktail.

As perfection is sought in all of Scotty’s endeavors, once the realisation struck he was in love with the Dark and Stormy he went about researching everything there is to know, and drinking a great many of them – all in the pursuit of perfection.

A Dark and Stormy is, at its essence, black rum and ginger beer. But, that description just doesn’t do the drink the justice it deserves. In the past few months Scotty has road tested many a Dark and Stormy, varying the brands of rum and ginger beer till he found the perfect combination. Then he began on perfecting the garnishes to take the cocktail to another lever. And he did this, dear readers, just so that you don’t have to go through the trouble (trust me, it wasn’t a challenge he took lightly).

Created in Bermuda by Gosling’s Export Limited of Bermuda (makers of Goslings Black Seal Rum), this highball cocktail is popular worldwide, but mostly in British Commonwealth countries. The drink reportedly has been drunk in Australia since the 1970s after Australian rugby players took part in Bermuda’s annual Classic Tournament.

While the drink was created for Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, the plethora of research Scotty did on the drink suggested Gosling’s rum was not the preferred tipple in the Dark and Stormy, instead all roads led to Caribbean black spiced rum called The Kraken.

 

The Kraken is the most fearsome of all sea monsters that lies up to 3000 feet beneath the surface of the ocean. This dreaded behemoth has been known to attack ships, dragging fearing seamen to their deaths! It has been rumoured that a large shipment of dark, spiced rum was once taken down by a Kraken in the Caribbean Sea and the resulting rum barrels drifted far and wide. This exotic Rum has been named in The Kraken’s honour and is made from naturally sweet molasses from sugar cane grown naturally on Virgin Island riverbanks. Aged in barrel for 24 months to impart classic dark rum flavours of cinnamon, ginger and clove.

The flavours found in The Kraken have led Scotty to the following additions: Two fresh slices of Ginger to enhance the peppery ginger found in the rum; one thin wedge of lemon to enhance the clove found in the rum; and two thin slices of lime to give the whole drink some zing.

The ginger beer is just as important, and after much variation Scotty has decided that Bundaberg Australian Ginger Beer provides the best results (my American friends, you may have to experiment with American brands).

Without further ado… I present the Dark and Stormy.

 

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Comments

  5. Chompchomp says

    I am a big fan of ginger in cocktails. So refreshing. The only problem is they are a bit too moreish!

  6. john@kitchenriffs says

    I love this cocktail! As a matter of fact I'll be doing it on my blog in a couple of weeks. 😉 I should try Kraken rum with this drink, though as a general rule I don't like spiced rum. I actually think the Gosling's works well, especially with their brand of ginger beer. I haven't yet tried an amber demerara rum in this drink, which seems all wrong because it isn't a dark rum. But it's taste is so great I think it might work. Great post and pictures – thanks.
    My recent post The Bridal Cocktail

  8. themondaybox says

    We love ginger beer and the combination with citrus and rum sounds like a new summer time favorite! Does the fact that you are drinking it now mean it is a winter time favorite as well? 🙂 And good news for American readers, Bundaberg Ginger Beer is available at World Market stores! My son, the ginger beer expert in our family, says there is no comparison. Australian ginger beer is worth the slightly higher price because it is so much more gingery than American brands.
    My recent post Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Crunch Cookies

  11. Kelly Coykendall says

    Problem with this is that Gosling's Black Seal is not a "spiced" rum, it is a dark rum…hence the "Dark & Stormy". By you changing the rum to a spiced, you might as well just call it a "Spiced & Stormy", rather than trying to replace the original. I have been drinking this since the late 80's – early 90's. My BFF vacationed every yr in Bermuda and brought 5th's of Gosling's home with them. It wasn't available in the US yet. I also mix it with Vernor's Ginger Ale when I don't have ginger beer on hand and it is VERY good!

  13. natashajean says

    I'm a little bit in love with the Kraken Spiced Rum. I've never come across it before, but I do love a good sea monster. I don't really drink, but I might have to hunt down a bottle anyway.
    My recent post Chengdu Lollipops

  18. Geometry says

    I have tried it with the Kraken, tried making a ginger syrup, and some sparkling water. Total failure. Found that its best with gosling’s ginger beer. I want to try it out with the wedges!!

  19. Geometry says

    Also if youre feeling adventurous some sprigs of mint and habanero bitters.

  20. Prill says

    The Dark’n Stormy® is a registered trademark. It is Bermuda’s National Drink and is only made the following way:

    1 ½ oz Gosling’s Black Seal Rum

    4-6 oz Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer

    Pour Ginger Beer in Highball Glass over lots of Ice

    Float the Black Seal Rum

    Lime Optional

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